The Da Vinci Code

Rating:
Summary: split decision
Review: After finishing "The Da Vinci Code," my wife asked me to read it in order to get my "professional" opinion. I guess she wanted to feel like she was getting something for all those years she helped put me through graduate school. So, I was already reading it with one eye on historical detail, even through I realize it's a novel, it's just a story. Just because Indiana Jones isn't really archaeology, or Men In Black isn't really science doesn't mean you can't have a ripping good yarn. So, although it's "facts" are an incoherent mishmash of tabloid conspiracy theory, half baked higher criticism, and new age mush, it's still a passable airplane read.
When I had finished it, however, that's not what she asked first. She wanted to know, did I like it? And that was a more complicated question. On the one hand, a tale of a middle aged humanities teacher who suddenly finds that his studies actually have some real-world relevance and is off to high adventure with an attractive young French woman . . . . I mean, what's not to like (says the middle aged humanities instructor . . . .).
But throughout the book there was another element that I found a bit more disturbing. Yes, we're used to the standard conspiracy theory; from "Three Days of the Condor," to "JFK," to the "X-Files," to "The Bourne Identity," . . . it's always the establishment that is the true villain. In this particular instance the establishment is the Roman Catholic Church. True, there is a bit of posturing that permits the author to say that it is actually a rogue element within the church that is at fault (to go any farther as to the actual villain would interject an unconscionable spoiler into a review). But that was not the troubling part. Rather it was the breezy, off-hand way with which the author tossed out scurrilous accusations against Christianity itself. None of them are new or particularly insightful but, nevertheless, in the guise of his academic protagonist, we have Mr. Brown pontificating with feigned piety, that the "noble teachings of the simple Galilean teacher" were seized upon and bastardized by a greedy, violent, psychotic bunch of misogynists who have knowingly misled the gullible masses through all these centuries for their own evil ends. That's pretty ugly stuff.
I was reminded of a statement from Albert Schweitzer as he documented the "Quest of the Historical Jesus." "Lives of Jesus" had become something of a gladiatorial entertainment in the post-Enlightenment period. Many authors who wished to tweak and annoy the established hierarchy (both religious and political) used this arena as a way of venting their anti-clerical, anti-government views under the safety of academic freedom and scholarship. Schweitzer noted that "hate as well as love can write a Life of Jesus, and the greatest of them was written with hate . . . not so much hate of the Person of Jesus as of the supernatural nimbus with which it was so easy to surround him . . . ." What one senses from Mr. Brown is not hate, so much as simply contempt.

Rating:
Summary: Combines a Good Plot with Fascinating Symbolism
Review: After finishing the DaVinci Code, I have to say that this is one of the best novels that I have read in awhile. After reading the first few pages, I quickly became engrossed in the story. At its core, the plot is pretty basic, but the extra details and twists that are added in along the way, definately make this novel unique.
The DaVinci Code is written in a style that flows well and makes it easy to read, the author is able to write a realitively complex plot without confusing the reader. The chapters are pretty short and are written in several different points of view, that keep the story moving along, with out getting too repetitive. The mini history lessons that accompany the plot are actualy quite interesting, and those alone make the book a worthwhile read. The plot is interesting and enough to hold your attention, but around the end it does lose some of the excitement that it initialy had. As for the characters, there definately are several unusual ones in the book, and I found the majority of them to be both realistic and interesting.
While the book isn't perfect, it is definately entertaining and teaches the reader quite a bit in the process. In a way, it reminded me of the movie, The Ring in the sense that they Both started out as pretty basic plots, but along the way you see new details unfold, which transforms it into a much more complicated, and detailed story. The DaVinci code adds a new, more intelligent twist on the classic suspense novel.

Rating:
Summary: Pseudohistory and pseudofeminism
Review: After giving in to the hype and reading this book, I frankly don't understand what all the fuss was about. The allegations about the Catholic Church aren't shocking to anyone who's read _Holy Blood, Holy Grail_, or the better follow-up _The Woman with the Alabaster Jar_; what *is* shocking is that Brown presents this interesting if flawed speculative history as if it were verified fact. There's enough actual evidence of the Church's ugly political machinations and lethal intolerance and misogyny to power any number of thrillers without having to resort to invention, but I digress. Brown seeds the story with just enough facts that the half-truths, misleading statements, and pure fictions go down in the same gulp, and while that's certainly no crime -- this is a suspense novel, after all -- he then tries to endow it all with the odor of historical sanctity, but there's another aroma overpowering.

As for the story itself... eh. It clipped along at a decent pace, but again, knowing the conspiracy theory in advance rendered the plot utterly predictable. Then there's Brown's gifts as a prose stylist, which are, to be charitable, crushingly mediocre. But by far the most irritating aspect of the book, for me, was Brown's treatment of Sophie. After a promising entrance (springing Langdon from a trap in the Louvre), she becomes no more than a listening post and token love interest. The scenes where she sits around, silent, while a bunch of *men* lecture her about The Suppression of the Divine Feminine were unintentionally hilarious. In fact, were there any other women in this novel? Liberate the Mother, indeed.

Rating:
Summary: A Personal Top 3, and a must have for all
Review: After harassment from friends to put down my Grisham books and expand my library, I finally picked up The DaVinci Code. While reading at work I would becopme visibly irritated at customers who interrupted my reading. Although it does have one or two slow parts, overall the book is rediculous. Brown questions and almost criticises the bible, but does it in a way in which the most faithful can't get mad, by explaining and in questioning and in some ways adding validity to it.
Again, one of my top 3 along with "Pillars of the Earth" and "The Partner"

Rating:
Summary: The Da Vinci Code
Review: After having read numerous reviews of the book, both positive and negative, I have come to the conclusion that most readers are simply missing the point. This is a work of fiction. It is meant to entertain. Maybe the ending could have been more satisfying, maybe the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, and just maybe the characters could have been insomniacs and didn't need sleep. No matter. Dan Brown succeeded in creating a story that grabbed the attention of reades worldwide, and whether you enjoyed it or not, you purchased it. Literature is like anything else...very subjective depending on whom is reading it and for what purpose. Therefore, it is quite offensive to me that so many "pseudo-intellectuals" feel they have wasted their time with this novel and seem to believe that any intelligent person would abhor this novel. Again, a work of fiction is meant to entertain the masses, and if readers are interested in a fast-paced novel with some inetersting information, they should read it. It's entertainment and nothing more.

Rating:
Summary: Much better books are out there.
Review: After hearing a friend rave about how complex and interesting this book was, I decided to sit down and read it. Considering that there are so many great books around with similar concepts, this was pretty much a waste of time. I would much rather have spent the time rereading Eco's "Name of the Rose" or Wilton Bernhardt's "Gospel," both of which pull off the religious-mystery concept far, far better than this book.

Rating:
Summary: I TRIED....I really did
Review: After hearing all the buzz about this book, I picked it up at the library to read. To be honest, I'm not much of a mystery buff, but if the writing is good, I can get sucked into a good read in any style. I gave this book 75 pages before I gave up. I have to say I often find best-selling books to be duds, so I wasn't totally surprised. I wasn't impressed with the writing style....it didn't pull me in. I wasn't impressed with the characters....none were compelling or interesting to me. Gruesome, bloody details didn't entice me...I hate horror/gore films. So, this book went back to the library unfinished. My most recent 5 star read: 'Reading Lolita in Tehran'.

Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down once you start!
Review: After hearing an interesting interview with the author on NPR, I was intrigued by this book. Murder, religion, and art create a fascinating background upon which to build a story. I finished this book in two days, and if I'd had more free time, I'd have finished it in a single day. I hated to put it down, and it was very difficult to find stopping points where I was "satisfied" at least temporarily. The pacing is perfect--the author gives you just enough crumbs to keep you begging for the next one.

My only disappointment was in the ending. After all that buildup of tension, page after page, the ending was less climactic than I had expected it to be, though it was still a reasonably satisfying ending. I will definitely be looking for other books from Dan Brown in the future.

Rating:
Summary: After all the hype - disappointment
Review: After hearing and reading about this book for a year, I finally borrowed a copy and read it. All I can say is I'm disappointed. While it began with an interesting premise, the writing was so mediocre that I finished it only so I could discuss the book with a friend who recommended it. It struck me as just an "airplane" novel - one you pick up at the airport because you're just looking for something quick and easy to pass the time. It's not even close to serious literature. I'm also scared to death there are people out there who actually believe the story. But I suppose that's all you can expect at a time when bashing the Christian Church has become an art form.

Rating:
Summary: Very riveting, great fictional extension of history
Review: After hearing so much about the book I picked up the audio CD so I can listen while I was driving. I was pleasantly surprised by the pace of the book. The book was always moving forward and always left you hanging for the next chapter. The story follows the death of the curator of the Louvre and leads to a quest for the Holy Grail and a possible truth about Jesus Christ that could topple Christianity. What I love most about this book is that the author took a long series of true events and weaved them together with just enough fiction to make it seem so believable. To me this is a sign of a good book. It makes you follow the story because you think it is true but the author's imagination takes you to a fictional place your own mind would not have gone too.

The story to uncover the Holy Grail is well laid out by Dan Brown. The book really takes place over teh course of two days but so much happens in those two days. Reminds me of the fast pace that the TV show 24 has made so successfull.

I am Jewish and not an expert at all on Christianity, but the truthful and fictional tales woven together about Christ and the Holy Grail were so fascinating. Add a long history of a Secret Society that guards a secret the Vatican wants to remain a secret, but one that the society is obligated to reveal. What could the secret be that would topple an entire religion. Why would a secret society exist to guard it and how is the Church going to protect itself? More importantly, why is a museum curator for the Louvre a central figure that ties all of this together?

The questions above are an indication of the wonderful ideas the book brings out and makes you think. There is suspense as the two main characters follow a series of cryptic codes left by the curator and are followed by the police and a killer who is being ordered by a very powerful man behind the scenes. Is the Church involved?

Then there is the question of the secrets of the Holy Grail? Are these two characters following clues that will ultimately lead to the Holy Grail? What is the secret that could ruin the church and what does it have to do with the Holy Grail?

I could not stop stop listening to the CD as I needed these questions answered. THis book fulfilled my desires, a great suspenseful story that realy made me think and question things as they are. I recommend this as a great pleasure read or listen.

Of course the overriding question to all of these subplots, is what does this also have to do with leonardo Da Vinci??? These questions make you want to read or hear more and keep you captivated.

I know other reviewers criticize the book for certain factual mistakes. However, I took the book for what it was, a fictional novel. You have to suspend your belief somwhat. I feel the author's research and touch of fiction have made the story seem so realistic and possible, which is the sign of a great book. It makes you question real facts even though such facts were introduced in a fictional work. Even when the fringes of fiction come through the truth, your quest to follow in the character's excitement makes you jump into their shoes and it feels realistic. I think I can let a few historical "stretches" slip by when I am reading fiction because it is not a documentary. Personally I was so swept up in the story, I really would not notice anything incorrect unless I did the research myself.

This book has spurred numerous discussions about Christ, Mary Magdelegne and Christianity and the Church. How awesome is such a work of fiction that it makes us question reality??

The writing style is very straightforward and clear and easy to follow. The text moves quickly and there is not one point where it slows down, making you want to read more and more. Pick it up and jump in with both feet.